It might not be right to call THE MCPHERSON TAPES, the worlds first found footage horror film (Cannibal Holocaust has a closer link) but you can say, it is the best release from the AGFA series thus far. 101 Films are to launch this alien landing nightmare, monster piece. The story? Its October 8th, 1983 and the McPherson family gather together to celebrate the 5th birthday of Michelle. As its the 80s, the desire to captured everything on VHS is obvious and Michael McPherson, her father, uses his new camcorder to remember. As the time flows, strange events start happening. Strange lights, weird noises and finally odd creatures appear. Is it an alien invasion or a search party?
Famously THE MCPHERSON TAPES cost $6000 to make and was shot on VHS. 101 films (and Vinegar Syndrome also) are at pains to let the to be buyer, know about this. Why? Well some expect a suped up release and they wont get it. What they will get, as the commentary track tells us, is two versions of the film that have been smuggled, passed around as a true document and even singled out as the evidence for an Alien landing. The real reason is that THE MCPHERSON TAPE was never legitimately released on any medium. Now it has gained a massive amount of cult weight, which it doesn’t deserve over other, better films. It does however show that first-time filmmaker Dean Alioto has made a film that deserves attention. Directed with nuanced intelligence. Sometimes the medium limits a film maker. Sometimes it hampers creativity. Here it has been used to blend reality and science fiction. Well, I might add. Genre cinema has fun films. Frankly stupid films sometimes. But this is stunningly good. Maybe its because its serious but also maybe its because it is do so well!
Special Features
New transfer from the original 3/4″ master tape
UFO ABDUCTION: The 2017 director’s cut
Commentary track with director Dean Alioto on original cut
1989 theatrical premiere introduction
ENCOUNTERS TV segment
Fantastic Fest Q&A
Reversible cover artwork
https://101-films-store.com/collections/pre-orders/products/the-mcpherson-tape-agfa-1989
